Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$ 53,647	$ 44,534	$ 73,435	$ 61,052
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,687)	(3,687)	(11,061)	(11,061)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 49,960	$ 40,847	$ 62,374	$ 49,991
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,982,473	22,717,043	22,831,717	22,671,943
Basic earnings per share	$ 2.17	$ 1.80	$ 2.73	$ 2.20
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 49,960	$ 40,847	$ 62,374	$ 49,991
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	3,687	3,687	11,061	0
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share	$ 53,647	$ 44,534	$ 73,435	$ 49,991
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,982,473	22,717,043	22,831,717	22,671,943
Convertible perpetual preferred stock	4,693,155	4,857,262	4,816,904	0
Employee share-based awards	320,955	280,603	318,594	285,107
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	27,996,583	27,854,908	27,967,215	22,957,050
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.92	$ 1.60	$ 2.63	$ 2.18